GAME NOTES: Delta State Lady Statesmen vs. Union University (1.29.15) 

CLEVELAND, Mississippi – The Delta State University Lady Statesmen look to make another move in the Gulf South Conference race when leader Union University visits Walter Sillers on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. followed by Christian Brothers University on Saturday at 2 p.m.  Delta State dropped the first meeting to Union, 67-63, and to CBU, 60-49, both on the road.   Thursday night is $1 Nehi Bottling soft drinks and candy throughout the double-header. 

IN THE PAINT 

Delta State is alone in third place in the GSC standings with an 8-5 record. Union leads the GSC with an 11-2 record.

This is the seventh meeting between Delta State and Union University, with the Lady Statesmen holding a 4-2 lead in the series.   Union claimed a 67-63 win in Jackson, Tenn., (12.13.14) earlier this season. DSU is 2-0 vs. the Bulldogs in Walter Sillers.

Home Sweet Home:  The Lady Statesmen are 6-2 in Walter Sillers this season.  DSU is averaging 60.8 points and 35.8 rebounds and have an +11.8 scoring margin. DSU is holding opponents 33.3 percent from the field and 18.5 percent from 3-point range.

Delta D:  The Lady Statesmen lead the GSC and rank 15th in the nation in scoring defense, allowing 57.9 points per game. DSU is second in 3-point field goal percentage defense, 30.8 percent, and third in turnover margin +2.21.

GSC Stats:  Delta State is fourth in scoring margin (+2.1) and 3-point field goal percentage (34.3), third in free throw percentage (67.1), assists (13.07 apg.), and second in assist/turnover ratio (0.97).

Rhandi Ball is second in the GSC (28th/NCAA) with 2.4 steals per game; and fourth with 2.5 assists per game. Ball has 207 career-steals, two away from the top 10.  

Chelsey Rhodes' 82.9 free throw percentage is second in the GSC  and fourth with 15.4 points per game. Rhodes has scored in double digits in 14-of-17 games this season, including four games with 20-plus points. Rhodes' scored 24 and 23 points versus UWA (12.6.14 / 1.22.15), 30 vs. Valdosta State (12.18.14) and 22 at West Georgia (1.24.15). Rhodes' three 3-point field goals against UWG moved her into seventh on the career 3-pointers made with 121 (345 attempts) and needs 19 3-point field goals to move into sixth.

Seneca Walton ranks seventh in the GSC with 6.9 rebounds per game and 13th with 11.6 points per game. Walton has posted double figure scoring efforts in 10-of-15 games and has 20-plus points the last two games. She scored 24 points at UWA (1.22.15) and 28 at UWG (1.24.15). Walton's 28 points against West Alabama moved her into 27th on the all-time scoring list with 1,131 career points. The senior needs 65 points to pass Amber Gean (1,195 pts./2001-05) for 26th. The Clarksdale, Mississippi, native collected 11 rebounds against UWG and has 746 career boards, moving into 13th on the all-time rebound list. Walton ranks seventh with 108 career-blocks and has 746 career rebounds, six shy of 13th.  

Lloyd Clark Court: The Walter Sillers court was officially named Lloyd Clark Court during a ceremony following DSU's game against Lee (1.10.15). Clark led the Lady Statesmen program for 19 seasons, winning 3 NCAA Division II titles (1988-89, 1989-89, 1991-92) and 10 GSC Championships. The Drew, Mississippi, native compiled a 494-98 record and a 206-38 GSC mark.

 This is the 49th season of Lady Statesmen Basketball. The Lady Statesmen have an all-time record of 1,076-268-3 record.